Walla Walla County, Washington - Chapter 19: The Churches of Walla Walla, 1901

Chapter 19: The Churches of Walla Walla

Walla Walla is sometimes called a city of * homes. It may also fittingly be called a city of churches. There are nine strong churches in this place of something over ten thousand inhabitants, besides six other religious societies of less strength. Of the first may be named the Methodist Episcopal church, Methodist church, south. First Presbyterian, Cumberland Presbyterian, Congregational, Baptist, Catholic, Episcopal, Christian. Of the smaller organizations, there are the Lutheran, German Congregational, German Methodist, Seventh Day Adventists, Christian Science, and Salvation Army.

As to the first church building in Walla Walla, we find some reminiscences from one of the oldest of the old-timers, from which it appears that the first church was a Catholic church built in '59. The location of this was the old ^IcGillivary place, where Jacob Betz now lives. The church was built of poles, stuck in the ground, and covered with sliakes. It was without a floor, and its seating facilities consisted of one long bench.

The next church was built on the corner of Fifth and Alder, just back from the present location of the Odd Fellows' building. This was a Methodist church and was built by Father Berry. It subsequentl)^ was moved to where Bryan's stable now is, and was used as a house for the hose-cart of the fire department. Afterwards, having been enlarged by a second

A second Catholic church was built in '61. Its location was near the present St. Vincent's Academy. This was erected under the general supervision of the Rt. Rev. Bishop Blanchet and Rev. A. Younger was the first resident parish priest. A sketch of the Catholic church niay fittingly be continued at this point by reference to the fact that Father Younger was succeeded by Rev. J. B. Brouillet. Father Erouillet had been in the \\'alla Walla country a considerable part of the time from 1847. I" 1864 he established St. Vincent's Academy, which at first was an institution for both sexes, but the boys were within a few years provided with a new academy of their own, known as St. Patrick's Academy. In the year 1870 St. Mary's hospital was added to the already large interests of the Catholic church. Father Erouillet conducted with great energy and success these allied and growing interests of his parish, and after having been relieved at intervals by Revs. Halde and Manz. he resigned his position in the year 1875 to take charge of the Indian bureau at Washington. Rev. Thomas Duffy became his successor. The congregation had in the meantime expand- eel beyond the limits of the existing church, and a larger one had become a necessity. Therefore in the summer of 188 r the present magnificent structure was erected. Two years later there was a commodious addition made to St. Vincent's Academy, and large and needed improvements were made in the hospital. Owing to a failure of health Father Duffy resigned and went to California, where he died. He was succeeded by the present parish priest, Rev. Father Flohr. The Catholic church is especially distingtiished for its fine organ and super]) musical services. Its programs fur Christmas and Easter are events which always attract great throngs, both of music lo\-ers and devout worshipers.

The First Methodist Episcopal Church Of

As to the early history of Methodism in Walla Walla county, we can not do better than to reproduce in full a brochure issued in the year 1900 and entitled "Historical Report of the First Methodist Episcopal Church at Walla Walla, Washington : Its Organization and Work as Reported and Adopted by the Second Quarterly Conference held at \Valla Walla February 7, 1900; by J. M. Hill and E. Smith, Committee."

On page seventy-four of Rev. H. K. Mine's Missionary History of the Pacific Northwest, we find that the first sermon preached west of the Rocky mountains was delivered by Rev. Jason Lee at Fort Hall, on Sundav, July 27, 18;M. And in a book entitled Wild Life in Oregon, on pages 176-7, we will find that the first Methodist sermon preached at or near Walla Walla was by the Rev. Gustavus Mines, on May 2L 184.3, at Dr. Whitman's mission, six miles west of this city. Rev. Gustavus Hines also preached at Rev. H. H. Spalding's Lapwai mission, on Sunday, May 14, 184;!.

We find that the first Methodist Episcopal church organization that was perfected in Walla Walla, or in that part of the country known as eastern Oregon or eastern Washington, was in 18.59, and at that time the Walla Walla valley was just commencing to be settled up with stock raisers and traders. The town of Walla Walla was the principal or most important point, the United States , military post being located here, and this place having become the wintering place for miners, packers and freighters from the mines north and east of this country.

The Oregon conference of the Methodist Episcopal church, having jurisdiction over the church work in this section, took up the matter of supplying it with the gospel, and at the annual conference held at Albany in August, 1859, appointed Rev. J. H. Wilber as presiding elder of this field, calling it the Walla Walla circuit w^hich took in most of that part of the country east of The Dalles, Oregon, comprising the Grande Ronde, Walla Walla, Snake river and Columbia river valleys as far north as the British line and east to the Rocky mountains, and appointed Rev. G. M. Berry as pastor for Walla Walla circuit.

Brother Wilber and Brother Berry at once started for their field of labor. They came to Walla Walla and commenced the work by holding meetings at different places, at the homes of some of the people and at times in the old log court house at the corner of Main and Fifth streets. Soon after taking up the work Brother Wilber and Brother Berry decided to organize a class at Walla Walla, and on Monday, October 11, 1859, met and organized the first class in the district; also held their first quarterly conference. The quarterly conference was called to order by the presiding elder. Rev. J. H. Wilber, and opened with singing and prayer. The pastor, Rev- G. M. Berry, was appointed secretary of the meeting. The following named brothers were elected as the first board of stewards: S. M. Titus, William B. Kelly, John Moar, A. B. Roberts and T. P. Denney. A. B. Roberts was elected as the recording steward.

In January. 1860, the class decided to build a church in the town of Walla Walla, and appointed a building committee to undertake the work, consisting of the pastor, Rev. G. M. Berry, Brother Thomas Martin and Brother John Moar. At a meeting held in April, 1860, the committee reported that they had selected for a church site lots 6 and 7, block 10, at the corner of Alder and Fifth streets, and that Rev. G. M. Berry had made application to the board of county commissioners asking them to donate the lots to the church. At a meeting held on May 21, 1860, the first board of trustees of the church at Walla Walla was appointed, being Brothers T. P. Denney, S. M. Titus, John Moar, Thomas Martin and William B. Kelly; and on May 22, 1860, lots 6 and 7 of block 10 of the original town of Walla Walla were trans ferred to the above named trustees for the church by the board of county co nmissioners of Walla Walla county.

took up the work of building the church, which was completed in the fall of 1860. It was the first church of any built in Walla Walla, and was built at a cost of $1,046.52, with unpaid bills to the amount of S131.02. These items are taken from the report of the auditor of the accounts of the building committee as reported at the third quarterly conference, held at Walla Walla on June 24, 1861, by Andrew Keys, auditor. The pastor, Rev. G- ]\I. Berry, had practically been Sunday-school superintendent, as well as pastor, ever since the organization of the class until the church was completed. We fail to find any record of the dedication of this church.

The Oregon annual conference of 1861 created the Walla Walla district and appointed Rev. John Flinn as presiding elder and pastor at Walla Walla. At the Oregon annual conference held in 1867, the Walla Walla district was divided into one station and four circuits, viz: Walla Walla station; Walla Walla, Waitsburg, -Grande Ronde and Umatilla circuits.

In 1868 the class having become strong, and desiring a new location for their church building, the board of trustees procured lots on the corner of Poplar and Second streets. Bought on May 30, 1868, from W. J. and Abell Arner for S250.00, and deeded to the following named trustees: H. Parker, T. P. Denney, J. L. Reser, Joseph Paul and John W. McGhee. The old church was moved to the new location, repaired and enlarged, and a parsonage was fitted up just east of the church, facing on Poplar street.

At the Oregon annual conference held at Eugene, August 5 to 9, 1869, all the membership and appointments formally denominated Walla Walla station, Walla W'alla circuit and Dry Creek were formed as one charge and called Walla Walla circuit, to which Rev. John T. Wolf was appointed as pastor and Rev. Charles H. Hoxie as assistant pastor.

Rev. James B. Callaway was presiding elder of the district, and on September 18, 1869, called together at Walla Walla all of the official members of the new circuit and organized the first quarterly conference, electing the following board of trustees: Charles Moore, T. P. Denney, D. M. Jessee, M. Emerick, Benjamin Hayward, A. H. Simmons, M. McEverly, William Holbrook and Oliver Gallaher. At the Oregon annual conference held at Vancouver, on August 25, 1870, Walla Walla city was again made a station, separating it from the Walla Walla circuit, and Rev. H. C. Jenkins was appointed as pastor.

Early in the spring of 1878, under the leadership of the pastor, Rev. D. G. Strong, the class undertook the erection of a new church building. The old church was sold to Mr. J. F. Abbott, for two hundred and fifty dollars and moved off of the lots, and through the efforts of the pastor and his board of trustees, consisting of B. F. Burch, J. E. Berryman, H. Middough, John Berry and O. P. Lacy, together with the faithful members and friends, the new church was completed at a cost of about ten thousand dollars, receiving from the church extension society of the church a donation of one thousand dollars and a loan of five hundred dollars. The loan in due time was paid back. After the completion of the new church Rev. W. G. Simpson w^as the first pastor and Brother E. Smith was the first Sunday-school superintendent. For some reason not on record, the church was not dedicated until August, 1879. The collection and services at the dedication were in charge of Bishop Haven, he being the bishop for the annual conference held at Walla Walla August 7 to 12, 1879.

It having been discovered in 188.3 that the board of trustees had never been incorporated under the laws of the territory of Washington, the quarterly conference directed that articles of incorporation should be prepared.

B. L. and J. L. Sharpstein, attorneys, were employed to prepare incorporation papers, and on February 9, 1883, they were signed and acknowledged by the following board of trustees: Donald Ross, C. P. Headley, S. F. Henderson, J. M. Hill, H. C. Sniff, H. C. Chew, E. Smith and G. H. Randall, and filed with the territorial auditor and the auditor of Walla Walla county. At the first meeting of this board of trustees they elected the following officers: J. M. Hill, president; Donald Ross, secretary; C. P. Headley, treasurer.

During the summer of 1887, the class, under the leadership of the pastor, Rev. Henry Brown, with the ladies of the church and the trustees, consisting of J. H. Parker, C. P. Headley, S. F. Henderson, J. M. Hill, H.

C. Sniff, H. C.Chew, G. H. Randall and E. Smith, undertook the building of a new parsonage, and with the bequest of five hundred dollars from the estate of our departed brother, E. Sherman, designated by him to be used for a new parsonage and 6596.47 raised principally by the efforts of the ladies' parsonage committee, a two-story, seven-room parsonage was erected on the grounds of the old parsonage, facing Poplar street, and this was turned over to the board of trustees free of debt and fairly well furnished.

During 1887, through the efforts of Rev. J. H. Wilber, a small church was built in the eastern part of the city and called Wilber Chapel. Brother W.J. White donated a lot for that purpose, three hundred dollars being received from the church extension society, part of the balance being subscriptions from friends ; but the greater part being given by Rev. J. H. Wilber him, self. The church cost one thousand five hundred dollars, and was deeded to the trustees of the First Methodist Episcopal church of Walla Walla: viz: J. H. Parker, J. M. Hill, C. P. Headley, S. F. Henderson, H. C. Sniff, H. C. Chew, G. H. Randall and E. Smith. The church was sold to the German Lutheran society for the sum of one thousand six hundred dollars, on September 5, 1892 returning to the board of the church extension about four hundred dollars due them in principal and interest. The dedication of Wilber chapel was by Rev. N. E. Parsons, presiding eider, assisted by Rev. J. H. Wilber and Rev. Henry Brown. During 1894, the church under the leadership of Rev. V. C. Evers, the pastor, with the trustees, enlarged the present church by extending it to

At this writing Rev. Lee A. Jolinson is pastor and Rev. M. H. Marvin is presiding elder. The membership of the church is now over three hundred.

Services of the Episcopal church were held in Walla Walla as early as 1864 in churches other denominations by Bishop Scott, of Portland, an<l Rev. T. A. Hayland. For a year Rev. Lemuel H. Wells conducted services in the old court house, now the Star Brewery, corner of Alder and Third streets, when the present edifice was completed on the corner of Third and Poplar streets, at a cost of fifty-four hundred dollars. It is a cozy, comfortable luiilding; a happy exchange for the barren, unattractive room occupied at first.

Rev. Mr. Wells' first congregations did not number more than a dozen persons, with not more than half of these Episcopalians, but the great-souled qualities of this pioneer disciple of St. Paul were as a magnet to the church, and that i:iost appalling of all sights to a minister, "empty benches," was a state of affairs of short duration.

The court room in a short time was inadequate to the wants of the church, and the comfort of a church building was not a fact of as great importance as the necessity of more room. The seating capacity of the church is nearly three hundred and in its earliest days was often crowded to overflowing.

The Snnflay-school. beginning with three or four children, increased in an equal ratio -to the church congregation. These little Christian soldiers were phenomenal workers and aided in many ways in furnishing the church, especially did they contribute generously to the fund for buying the bell. Their Easter offerings sometimes exceeded one hundred dollars. Most of this was earned by the giver or was the result of some sacrifice on the part of the donor. Mr. Wells was rector for ten years, with the exception of one and one-half years, which time was supplied by Rev. J. D. McConkey. Rev. Wells was succeeded by Rev. Dr. Lathrop, a gentleman well adapted to continue the good work his predecessor had so heroically taken up.

The church has never enjoyed greater prosperity tiian at tlie present time. Its financial condition is good, the vestry is composed of enterprising men, whose management of the churcli affairs is most satisfactory. The rector. Rev. Andreas Bard, is young and enthusiastic, earnest in his work, of pleasing personaHty and high order of intellectuality, eminently fitted to increase the good work of the church. St. Paul's church considers itself the fortunate possessor of the most able minister in the state.

The following excerpt from a publication issued in 1894, entitled Manual of the First Congregational Church of Walla Walla, Washington, gives a very complete history of this church from the earliest times to the date of its issue :

The story of the life of the First Congrcfcational church of Walla Walla is not a story of uninterrupted ease on the part of its members, or of continuous success and steady advancement on the part of the organization itself. It came into existence as the logical result of the most extraordinary efforts by its founders and it has lived only by the sacrifice and earnest prayer and labor of its members.

The first resident Congregational minister to settle in the state was Rev. Cushing Kells, better known to us as Father Eells, who entered the valley August 29, 1838, as a missionary to the Indians, and on that date the history of our church commences, though no church organization was formed for nearly twenty-seven years later. The history of the time between those dates is the history of struggle, trial, privation, apparent failure, and abandonment of the field till 18()0, when Father Eells returned to the valley and took possession of the Mission farm, where he lived for a number of years, working on the farm, preaching, teaching and spreading the gospel in various ways.

In May, 1804, Rev. P. B. Chamberlain seuled in Walla Walla for the purpose of occupying the field. This purpose he fulfilled by preaching occasionally in the Methodist church and by conducting a school. The growth of the school and the need of a place of worship led Mr. Chamberlain to buy ground and erect thereon a building for a school and for religious worship, a little west of the house now occupied by our good Deaconess Chamberlain. In this Congregational cradle the Congregational infant of Washington, rocked by Congregational hands and fed on wholesome Congregational food, thrived until July II, 1868, when the little church, which represented such great sacrifice on the part of its builder, was destroyed by fire.

On January 1, 1865, the First Congregational church of Walla Walla, and the first in the state of Washington, was organized by Rev. Cushing Eells and wife, Rev. P. B. Chamberlain and wife, J. W. McKee and wife, and Edwin Eells, and the "Sacrament of the Lord's Supper was administered to the new church and to the other Christians present." The church grew slowly but steadily in numbers and strength, and when its place of worship was destroyed had sufficient energy to immediately undertake the task of building a new structure. The result of its labors, augmented by generous contributions from the citizens, we are now enjoying.

The society was incorporated January Ifi, 1869, by Cushing Eells, John B. Stowell, G. W. Somerindyke, Robert Thompson, P. B. Chamberlain and Edwin Eells, the first board of trustees being composed of G. W. Somerindyke, J. B. Stowell and Robert Thompson. Edwin Eells was the first church clerk. The church flourished for a year or two, till from the removal of members and other causes, its fortunes changed, and from 1870 its cause waned and weakened, and in 1880 its doors were closed, to remain so until the arrival of Rev. N. K. Cobleigh in the spring of 1882.

Interest was somewhat restored and the church prospered under his leadership for several years, until he was called to the missionary field of Eastern Washington. The most notable official event during his pastorate was the election of the first deacon of the church. Dr. A. J. Anderson, who was chosen to fill the office for three months.

Rev. Ezra Haskell succeeded to the pastorate July 8, 1894, soon after which the church seemed to receive a new inspiratiiin and a new life, every member working vigorously and successfully for its interests. During this pastorate the amount subscribed for the pastor's salary by the church was raised fron:>S40.0j to §60.00 per month, the amount asked from the missionary society being correspondingly reduced. It was during this pastorate, too, that the Christian Endeavor Society was formed, that valuable auxiliary to the church work being the result of special effort on the part of the pastor and the then few young people of the church. By reason of disagreement between the pastor and the church the spiritual health of the latter became impaired and the rela-

On September 8, 188G, Rev. H. R. Foster, one of God's most gilted and consecrated servants, was called to the pulpit, but was compelled to resign because of ill health on June 20th of the next year. During this short pastorate the spiritual power of the church was increased most marvelously and it seemed to the members that God was indeed smiling on their efforts. However, this was but God's preparation for the future conditions.

In the early years of the pastorate of Rev. E. R. Loomis, who was ne.xt called to be our leader, the cause flourished to the great satisfaction of the members. Many important modifications were adopted during this period, notable among which were the adoption of the new constitution by the church; a reincorporation by which the women were given the privilege of becoming members of the corporate body; the relief of the missionary society from the burden it had so long, generously, and faithfully borne; the formation of a Junior Endeavor Society; and the closer union of the church and Sunday-school. After the resignation of Mr. Loomis the pulpit was supplied by him for some time, and afterwards, for a few months, by Rev. Mr. Hague, of Maine.

The church was fortunate enough to have among its members several preachers who conducted the services until we were blessed by the arrival among us of our present pastor. Rev. E. L. Smith, whose labors speak for him and require no comments.

Here we are in the year 1&94, as a strong man to run a race, well equipped for the work, earnest to do the Master's bidding, laboring for the salvation of souls and desirous of building up the Christian sentiment of the community in every way possible, but especially in the way of building a solid foundation and superstructure of Congregationalism in this part of the great Northwest.

It is only necessary to add that the hopes above e.xpressed have been quite fully realized in the subsequent work of the church. Rev. E. L. Smith continued to ininister unto the society until November, 1898, when he was succeeded by Rev. Austin Rice, the present pastor. In 1899 an elegant new church edifice was erected on the corner of Palouse and Alder streets, and the same has been occupied as a place of worship since January i, 1900. The ])resent structure, by reason of its convenient and commodious basement, is peculiarly well fitted for building up the social life of the church. The Sunday-school, under the superii:tendencv of President S. B. L. Penrose, has become one of the strongest in the town, having an average attendance of about one hundred and fifty. The present officers of the church are : Standing Committee, Daniel Burr, A. H. Reynolds, John Baker, Mrs. Isabel Kirkman, INIrs. Eva Williams and Miss Anna Hill ; Trustees, W. D. Lyman, H. A. Reynolds, E. J. McGougan; Clerk, W. S. Clark; Treasurer, Jay Williams. The present total membership of the church is two hundred and twenty-three.

On the 5th of January, 1873, was effected the organization of the First Cumberland Presbyterian church of Walla Walla, those primarily concerned in such organization being the Rev. Harrison W. Eagan and seven members, the original elders of the church being Joel Hargrove, J. M. Reed and W. B. Simonton. Mr. Eagan became pastor, of the new society and ministered to the church continuously until the ist of January, 1882. During the decade of his pastorate more than two hundred members were received into the church, in wdiose affairs he continued to maintain a deep and lively interest long after the conclusion of his pastoral functions. He was succeeded by Rev. J. N. Crawford, who was in turn succeeded by Rev. J. C. Van Patten. The Rev. ^^^ W. Beck presided over the destinies of the society for two years, his pastorate having its inception in 1886, after which Rev. E. G. Mc- Lean, D. D., was pastor for five years, being succeeded by Rev. R. E. Powell, who retained the position two years, after which the church was placed under the pastoral direction of Rev. Duncan Wallace, who resigned the charge in September, 1900, remo\-ing to California. The present pastor of the churcli is Rev. G. A. Blair. The ])rcscnt membershii) of the church is about two hundred. From the time of its organization the churcli has steadily grown not only in numbers but also in its influence for good. It has been signally awake to every moral and spiritual interest and its collateral organizations are active and beneficent, the same including the Young Peoples' Society of Christian Endeavor, the Junior Endeavor and the Pilgrim and Missionary societies. The officers of the church at the present time are as follows: Elders, \\\ P. Winans, K. F. Eutler, J. \\'. Armstrong, W. S, OtYner, Dr. N. G. Blalock, G. H. Sutherland and A. AL Cation ; deacons, H. E. Johnson, George Starret t, J. F. McLean. A. J. Evans, A. J. Beard, P. U. \\'inans, Sam McBride, Marvin Evans and ]\L E. Brewer.

Recapitulating the history of this prcspsrous organization, we may say that services were originally held in the old court house, which. at the expiration of a year, proved inadequate to accommodate the society, and the city hall was therefore brought into requisition. Recognizing the exigent demand for a permanent house o.f worship, the society purchased a lot on the southwest comer of Third and Poplar streets and erected thereon, in 187(3, the present church edifice at a cost of six thousand dollars. The building was dedicated on the 4th of January, 1880. being at the time free from indebtedness. It is worthy of note at this juncture, as indicative of the liberal and broad-minded attitude of the citizens of \Valla Walla, that the sum demanded for the erection of the church building was secured by general subscriptions in tlie city and that these contributions were made without reference to religious affiliations, no aid from the missionary fund of the denomination being called for.

The Christian Ciiirch

In the fall of 1878 the Christian church of this city had its beginning in the temporary organization of eight people, for the purpose of worshiping and teaching according to their belief. Then on March 31st of the following year a permanent organization of eleven members was effected. Judge N. T. Caton was chosen clerk of the congregation and within a year the luimber of members was increased tc thirty-two persons. For some years th.e church had no regular minister, but was visited occasionally by the Waitsburg pastor and by other ministers who by chance came this way. Brother Xeal Cheetem was frequently here and was very helpful to the struggling little band of disciples. For some years after the organization the meetings were held from time to time in several of the older church buildings, which were \ery kindly tendered by th.eir congregations. Then the old opera house was used for a short period. Later Baumeister's hall was secured and used until the chm ch n^.oved into its own building, situated on Thirtl street lietween Birch street and Stahl avenue. The organization was incorporated July 31, 1 89 1, under the name of the First Christian church of Walla Walla, Washington, with S. C. Cahert, F. N. Bowman and William Preston as the first trustees. Previous to the building of the new church Xeal Cheetem. J. 11. Mollis, A. H. Foster, J. B. Johnson and R. H. Lotz served the congregation as pastors. After preaching his regular sermon on Lord's Day morning, September 20, 1891, Pastor Lotz announced that Judge J. H. Lasater offered the congregation a lot suitable for a church building, providing the congregation would at once erect such a building. Steps were immediately taken to accept this liberal offer. A building committee composed of S. C. Calvert, chairman, and F. M. Bowman, E. W. Thornton, B. W. Schell and William Preston, was appointed, who were instructed to enter at once upon the work of raising funds and securing plans for the new cliurch building.

A. C. Dickinson, of the Waitsburg congregation, very generously gave five hundred dollars in cash toward the fund, and the Church Extension Society of the Christian church gave a loan of one thousand dollars. These amounts with the liberal contributions of the members and friends of the church enabled the committee to commence the building soon after the offer made by Judge Lasater. The plans were successfully carried out and the building completed, and on April 2d of the following spring William F. Cowden, missionary in the northwest for the American Home Board of the Christian church, dedicated the commodious building now occupied by the congregation. Then with much enthusiasm the congregation began to increase its membership and repay the loan against its building. Again its friends and. members were true to it an<l lilicral in their gifts, so at this time the debt has all been paid and the building in a good state of repair. The membership has steadily increased until there are now over two hundred and seventy-five members in good standing and full fellowship. J. B. Daisley, C. P. Smith, J. F. Ghormley and O. J. Gist served as pastors in the order named since the dedication of the new building until January i, 1897. Since that date the ])ulpit has been occupied by L. O. Herrold. The present board of trustees is composed of Messrs. C. L Hall, Harry Lasater and D. W. Coward.

the usual struggles incident to starting and luiilding a new work, but out of it all God has brought a strong and united church which looks forward with great hope for the future.

The Baptist Church

Services according to the forms of the Baptist church were held in Walla Walla as early as 1870, by Rev. W. H, Pruett, but nearly a decade passed before a formal organization was effected. Of the genesis and growth of the First Baptist church of this city the historical edition of the Walla Walla Union of August, 1896, speaks as follows:

'"To attempt to write a history of a church now in the zenith of its glory is like trying to write the biography of a great and good man while he is still alive and in the prime of his usefulness. The history of the First Baptist church of Walla Walla is a history of trials and triumphs. This church, like most of the western churches in early days, had a hard struggle for existence. The Baptists were late in effecting an organization in this city, which caused a great deal of hard work and patience to obtain a foothold. Many of the prominent families of the city were Baptists and had belonged to Baptist churches in the east, but on coming to Walla Walla found no Baptist church organization, so joined churches of other denominations.

"On May 1 1, 1879, the First Baptist church of Walla Walla was organized, with five members, and Rev. J. L. Blitch, of Dixon, California, became the first pastor and served the church for a year and a half, .\fter remaining pastorless for several months the church extended a call to Rev. D. J. Pierce, of Laramie, Wyoming, which was accepted. Mr. Pierce was well known fin the coast, having: served the First Baptist cliurch of Portland, Oregon, previous to this. It was during the two j-ears of Mr. Pierce's pastorate that the present clnirch ethtice was erected, at a cost of four thousand five hundred dollars, not including the lot. which cost about two thousand dollars. \Mth but twenty-seven members, Air. Pierce commenced the work of building, and carried it through to completion. After leaving Walla Walla Mr. Pierce became pastor of the First Baptist church of Seattle. Rev. A. B. Banks, pastor of the First Baptist church of Laramie, Wyoming, succeeded Mr. Pierce as pastor. During the two years of Mr. Banks' pastorate the church continued to increase in membership and influence. At the close of his pastorate the church extended a call to Rev. S. W. Beavan. during whose pastorate of a year and a lialf the church was greatly strengthened. Mr. Beavan was succeeded in his pastorate by his brother. Rev. J. H. Beavan, who served as pastor for five and a half years with great success. The church then extended a call to Rev. J. A\\ Neyman, but at that time it was not accepted. A call was then given to Rev. M. C. Cole, of Xew Orleans, which he accepted. Mr. Cole served the church as pastor for nearly three and a half years. This church has made a steady growth from the first. The church has always been liberal in its gifts to carry on mission work at home and in foreign lands. The property of the church is valued at about nine thousand dollars, including the parsonage."

At the beginning of the year 1896 the church again extended a call to the Rev. J. W. Neyman, who accepted. Under his pastorate, which terminated in 1898, the church showed a healthful growth in all branches of work, as well as in membership, and this has been signally true also during the regime of his successors, Rev. J. F. Huckleberry, who had pastoral charge for seven months, and Rev. H. B. Turner, the present pastor. The church maintains a mission chapel at the corner of Ninth and Rees streets, and its work in a spiritual way and in tlje matter of various benevolences is proving a cumulative power for good. The various subordinate organizations maintained in the society are thoroughly vital and discharge their various functions with a high degree of efficiency.

Methodist Episcopal Church, South

This church was organized by F. W. D. Mays in October or November, 1875, witli a small class, chief among whom were the old pioneers, D. M. Jesse and J. M. Gose and their wives. F. \\\ D. Mays used for some time the United Brethren church building for his religious services, as their class was then without a pastor. Their property was offered for sale and Mr. Mays made arrangements to purchase the same. !Money was appropriated by his general Board of Missions in Nashville to make the purchase. The authorities of the United Brethren church concluded, however, not to sell their property, and the money donated by the Nashville Board was used to buy two lots at the present location on Fourth and Sumach streets. On one of these lots was a dwelling house, still standing, the lower front of which was turned into a hall for church services by removal of partitions. Here services were held for two years.

In 1876 Mr. Mays was returned, by appointment of conference, to the charge for the second year. In September, 1877, the Annual Conference met in Walla Walla in said hall. Bishop H. N. McTyiere presiding. J. W. Compton was appointed as pastor for the en- suing year. Li 1S7S F. W. D. Mays was again appointed pastor of tlie charge, and in the summer of 1879 he sold the lot on which the dwelling house stood and erected the present church edifice. This was not entirely completed until several years later.

For se\'eral years subsequent to the last date the charge was without pastoral oversight except such as could be given by the presiding elder of the district. During the succeeding t\\enty years a number of pastors ser\-ed the charge, among whom were J. S. Burnett, W. T. Haggard, P. M. Bell, M. V. Howard, E. G. Michael, W. M. Fancher, A. Y. Skee, C. T. McPherson and E. P. Greene. Li September, 1900, J. \Y. Compton was again appointed pastor of the charge. The jjoard of trustees consists of T. F. Ladd, J. B. Cash and J. M. Keeler.

The German Methodist Episcopal Church

The first religious denomination to provide for the maintenance of German preaching in A\'alla Walla was the Methodist Episcopal, and for a number of years it was alone in its endeavor to maintain religious services in the language which constitutes the vernacular of so large a proportion of our citizens. The German Methodist Episcopal church of this city w-as organized in the year 1884, Rev. William Esslinger being the first pastor and Rev. F. Baum the first presiding elder. At that time the membership was so small as to preclude the possibility of erecting a church edifice of their own, su that services were held in the First Methodist Episcopal church. During the two years following 1884, however, the German population increased rapidly, and tlie necessity of a building for worship began to i)e urgently felt, as the membership of the society was also rapidly growing. Accordingly an effort to raise the required funds was inaugurated and persistently maintained until the society was the owner of a neat and commodious edifice, entirely free of debt. This building, with the ground on which it stands, is now valued at about five thousand dollars.

The church is in a prosperous condition, although, on account of changes in residence and other causes, the membership is not large. The Sunday-school is attended by about thirty cliildren, who are instructed in German. Rev. C. A. Wentsch is the pastor in charge at present.

First Presbyterian Church

Revs. E. N. Condit, F. M. Boyd and Robert Boyd, graduates of Princeton Theological Seminary of the class of 1877 and commissioned as Home Missionaries by the Presbyterian Board of Home Missions, arrived in \\'alla Walla, Washington Territor_y, on June 24, 1877. Rev. Mr. Condit immediately commenced work, with the view of organizing a church, but after preaching six weeks w-ith good prospects of success crowning his efforts he was called to another field of labor. The work so well begun was continued by Robert Boyd, who preached for the first time in Walla Walla in the court house on Sabbath, August 12, 1877. Rev. H. W. Stratton, S3-nodical missionary for the Synod of the Columbia, with the assistance of the Rev. Robert Boyd, effected an organization in Walla W^alla which constituted the First Presbyterian church of Walla Walla. The organization was composed of nineteen members. Services were held in the court house from November, 1877, until January, 1882, then in the United Brethren church until November, 1884, when the First Presbyterian church was completed.

jMarcli, 1886, Rev. Robert Boyd acted as pastor. He was succeeded by Rev. T. M. Gunn, March. 1886, to June, 1888, Rev. E. M. Sharp from June, 1888, until March, 1891, Rev. L. M. Belden from Marcli, 1891, until November, 1894. From that time until January. 1897, the church was without a pastor. The pulpit was supplied from time to time as the session could find supply. In January, 1897, the Rev. E. N. Condit accepted a call from the congregation, which position he held until his death, in June, 1900. Since that time the church has been supplied by different ministers af, the session could arrange.